Ahead of the 2027 elections, the Jubril Dotun Sanusi (JDS) Support Group has officially entered a strategic alliance with the Remi Oseni Committee of Friends (ROCOF).

This partnership unites two influential political forces, signaling Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi’s decision to step down from the gubernatorial race in favour of supporting Engr. Aderemi Oseni.

Oseni, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), is now positioned as a formidable contender in the forthcoming election.

The alliance was solidified during a high-level meeting held on Sunday at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan. The gathering attracted prominent stakeholders, including the Oyo State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), all 33 local government CAN coordinators, zonal leaders, market traders, and key figures within the JDS Support Group.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Hon. Gbenga Ayinde Adewusi of the JDS Group described the partnership as a strategic move aimed at reshaping Oyo State’s political and economic future.

Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, the Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland, praised Oseni’s legislative achievements, commending his commitment to developmental projects across the state.

Sanusi emphasized that his performance as a federal lawmaker stands out, describing him as one of Oyo State’s most effective and dedicated legislators.

He urged the newly formed alliance to engage stakeholders across the state, stressing the need for unity and divine guidance to secure electoral victory.

The Oyo State CAN Chairman also lauded Chief Sanusi’s leadership and praised his decision to support Oseni. He called on religious and grassroots leaders to rally behind the alliance to foster sustainable development and progress in the state.

Market traders, represented by Iyaloja Saratu Aduke Konibaje, applauded Chief Sanusi’s dedication to the welfare of small business owners. She pledged the continuous support of market traders statewide, citing Sanusi’s consistent advocacy for their economic interests.

Expressing his gratitude, Engr. Aderemi Oseni thanked Chief Sanusi and the JDS Support Group for their confidence in his leadership. He stressed the importance of unity in advancing the state’s development agenda and shared his deep-rooted connection to Oyo State as a proud son of the Bogumbe Family from Akufo, Ibadanland.

As part of his commitment to grassroots empowerment, the lawmaker announced a ₦50 million free loan scheme for market traders in Oyo State. The initiative, designed to bolster small businesses, will be managed by Iyaloja Saratu Aduke Konibaje, serving as the foundation for broader economic empowerment programmes.

The meeting ended with prayers and goodwill messages, reaffirming the joint resolve of the JDS Support Group and ROCOF to pursue sustainable growth and political success in the State as the 2027 governorship election approaches.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has openly declared his support for the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State in the 2026 governorship election.

Fayose made this declaration on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Ikeja GRA Network of Roads in Lagos State.

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayose commended the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in Lagos for transforming the Ikeja GRA area to rival the elite Ikoyi district.

“This place is now our own Ikoyi… You and your deputy have turned GRA to Ikoyi GRA,” Fayose remarked, applauding the Lagos State Government’s infrastructural strides.

Despite his firm loyalty to the PDP, Fayose stated unequivocally that he would support Governor Oyebanji, a member of the APC, in his re-election campaign.

“I am one Nigerian who will not say what I don’t mean even if they will kill me. I will say it. I am not a member of APC, let me put that on record again. I am not a member of APC and I will never be a member but I will not shy away from the fact that what is good is good,” Fayose declared.

Reflecting on Oyebanji’s emergence as governor, Fayose admitted that initial skepticism surrounded Oyebanji’s nomination but noted that the governor had surpassed expectations.

“When the news of your nomination came about six years ago, there were so many reservations, but you have proved the bookmakers wrong, including myself. You have shown that leadership is not about appearances but about substance. You are a different breed of politician,” he added.

Drawing a parallel between Oyebanji and the inclusive governance approach in Lagos, Fayose said, “You brought everybody together like my governor in Ekiti, Oyebanji, brought everybody together. I always tell people who care to listen, I am a PDP member but I will support Oyebanji in the next election. It is not about politics, it is who Oyebanji is.”

Governor Biodun Oyebanji was elected in June 2022 after defeating PDP’s Bisi Kolawole and Olusegun Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He succeeded former governor Kayode Fayemi and was sworn into office in October 2022.

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has defended his party’s recent engagement with former Kaduna State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.

Gabam insisted that the meeting was a strategic move aimed at repositioning the SDP as a formidable opposition force in Nigeria.

Gabam made this known during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday. The interview was closely monitored by Mega Icon Magazine.

Addressing the public reaction to his meeting with El-Rufai, Gabam questioned the uproar, suggesting that critics were unnecessarily amplifying the situation.

“Why the dust about Malam Nasir El-Rufai? They say he is not significant, he’s nothing. Why the worry about El-Rufai? Why the worry about Segun Sowunmi? If they are important, why won’t the government give them the relevant roles they need to play to enhance the efficiency of the government?” Gabam queried.

He explained that the meeting was part of the SDP’s broader strategy to assess Nigeria’s socio-political landscape in 2024 and strengthen its position as an opposition party.

“The meeting was to strategically review the situation of the country in 2024 as a party. We are an opposition party with elected members in the parliament, state assemblies, and in the local governments. So, we owe it a duty as a party to look at areas where things are not going right and open the space of the party and reach out to a lot of people,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the APC’s rise to power, Gabam highlighted that the current move mirrors the strategy employed by the APC when it successfully unseated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

“It’s the same things APC did when PDP was misbehaving; they re-organised, they regrouped, they relaunched a merger that led to the defeat of the PDP. So, we are not doing anything wrong. I don’t know why the brouhaha about it as if this is the first time Nasir El-Rufai visited or Segun Sowunmi who happens to be a friend. We’ve been in this struggle for a better Nigeria, not to undermine Nigeria,” he stated.

Gabam didn’t hold back in his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, expressing doubt over its ability to deliver on the president’s promises. He argued that the ministers lack the competence required to implement Tinubu’s vision effectively.

He also decried the current state of the economy, noting that Nigerians are enduring unprecedented economic hardship.

“No president that was elected to serve four years and has issues in two years can survive. Jonathan’s opposition started within two years – he lost election,” Gabam warned, suggesting that history could repeat itself if the administration fails to address pressing national challenges.